Judge Dismisses Case over License Look-Ups

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A federal judge has dismissed a case that alleged dozens of public employees illegally looked up driver's license data for political reasons.

The plaintiffs included 18 current and former Minnesotans who had been critical of Wabasha County government. They alleged officials in 26 counties, 36 cities and other entities violated their privacy by looking up their driver's license data 600 times.

St. Louis and Lake counties, the cities of Duluth and Cloquet, and the Fond du Lac Tribal Police Department were named as defendants in the suit.

U.S. District Judge Ann Montgomery dismissed the lawsuit Thursday. She says most lookups were too old and fell outside the statute of limitations. The rest don't show a connection between a look-up and a reason that would make that look-up illegal.

Montgomery left room for some of the claims to be refiled.

Erick Kaardal is an attorney for the plaintiffs. He says they'll appeal, refile the complaint, or both.

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